Hey everyone,
I wanted to share something that has been really beneficial for my mental health and might be helpful for others here who are struggling with issues around sex, kink, and finding a supportive community. Something most therapists won't touch...
For those who may not be familiar, FetLife is a social networking site similar to Facebook, but it's dedicated to the BDSM, fetish, and kink communities. While it might not be for everyone, I've found several positive aspects that have really helped me on my journey, and I wanted to share in case it might help someone else here too.
1. Building a Supportive Community
One of the biggest benefits of FetLife is the sense of community it provides. Many of us feel isolated when it comes to our sexual preferences, but FetLife connects you with people who understand and share similar interests. This sense of belonging can be incredibly affirming and reduces feelings of loneliness.
2. Normalizing Diverse Sexualities
Being part of a community that embraces a wide range of sexual preferences and kinks can help normalize what mainstream society often considers taboo. This can be a huge relief and can help reduce shame and stigma associated with one's sexual identity.
3. Educational Resources
FetLife has a wealth of information on safe practices, consent, and communication within kink and BDSM relationships. The forums and groups often host discussions on how to engage in these activities safely and responsibly, which can be crucial for anyone exploring these areas.
4. Mental Health Support
Many users on FetLife discuss mental health openly, and there are groups specifically dedicated to supporting members who struggle with mental health issues. It’s a space where you can find understanding and practical advice from those who have similar experiences.
5. Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance
Exploring your sexuality in a safe and supportive environment can lead to significant personal growth. FetLife encourages self-acceptance and helps individuals understand and embrace their desires, leading to a healthier relationship with oneself.
6. Event and Workshop Access
FetLife is a great way to find local events, workshops, and meetups. These events often focus on education, safety, and community building. They can be a great way to meet people in person and learn from experienced members of the community.
7. Anonymity and Privacy
While joining any online community involves some risk, FetLife allows for a level of anonymity that can make people feel safer when discussing personal and sensitive topics. You can control how much or how little you share about yourself.
Of course, like any platform, it’s important to approach with caution. Be mindful of privacy, understand that not everyone on the site will have your best interests at heart, and always prioritize your safety both online and in person.
For those who feel isolated, ashamed, or confused about their sexual desires, FetLife can offer a lifeline. It's provided me with a supportive network and helped me embrace my true self in ways I never thought possible.
If you’re curious or feel this might be helpful for you, consider giving it a try. Remember, your mental health and well-being always come first, and finding a community that supports you can make a world of difference.
Stay safe and take care!
TL;DR: FetLife can provide a supportive community, normalize diverse sexualities, offer educational resources, mental health support, and opportunities for personal growth. Always prioritize safety and privacy when engaging online.
Feel free to ask me any questions about my experience, and I’d be happy to help.

DAY: May 18 2024

• 5-18-2024 HAVE SMARTPHONES KILLED THE ART OF CONVERSATION? Once upon a time, human relationships unfolded without smartphones. The reality may be hard to recall, so profoundly have these devices transformed the way we relate to the world and others in fifteen years or so. As an anthropologist interested in modernity, I am particularly preoccupied by the impact of these devices on our conversations. In my book, “The End of the Conversation? Words in a Spectral Society” (French original: “La fin de la conversation? La parole dans une société spectrale”), I investigate the pernicious effects of this technology
• 5-18-2024 HOW TO REWARD EMPLOYEES FAIRLY AND IMPROVE TEAM DYNAMICS A recent study has shed light on how to reward employees more fairly and improve team dynamics. The study found that when less skilled employees report their performance voluntarily, they often exaggerate their achievements and ask for higher bonuses. These employees also tend to put in less effort and are less concerned about fairness when sharing their contributions voluntarily. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that requiring employees to explain their contributions leads to fairer decisions about bonus allocation and improves
• 5-19-2024 BILLIONS ARE SPENT ON EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, BUT WE DON’T KNOW IF IT WORKS During the COVID lockdowns, schools and universities worldwide relied on education technology—edtech—to keep students learning. They used online platforms to give lessons, mark work and send feedback, used apps to teach and introduced students to programs that let them work together on projects. In the aftermath of school closures, the market for edtech has kept on growing. The value of the sector is projected to rise to US$132.4 billion globally by 2032. The problem is that we don’t know very much about how effective many edtech apps or programs
• 5-19-2024 STUDY FINDS CONSUMERS WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR NATURALLY COLORED COTTON CLOTHING Research has looked at consumer attitudes toward naturally colored cotton clothing. The study found that amid increasing concerns over the environmental impact of conventional cotton processing, consumers are willing to pay more for a greener T-shirt.
• 5-18-2024 HOW AI IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SALES STRATEGIES In the fast-evolving business landscape, artificial intelligence, or AI, is taking center stage in transforming sales processes, making them more efficient and responsive to the dynamic market demands. A new University of Alabama at Birmingham study titled “AI in Sales: Laying the Foundations for Future Research” highlights the pivotal role AI is playing in reshaping the sales sector.
• 5-18-2024 WHEN CONSUMERS WOULD PREFER A CHATBOT OVER A PERSON Actually, sometimes consumers don’t want to talk to a real person when they’re shopping online, a new study suggests. In fact, what they really want is a chatbot that makes it clear that it is not human at all. In a new study, researchers found that people preferred interacting with chatbots when they felt embarrassed about what they were buying online—items like antidiarrheal medicine or, for some people, skin care products. “In general, research shows people would rather interact with a human customer service agent
• 5-18-2024 NEW STUDY REVEALS THE POTENTIAL OF COACHING EMPLOYEES TO DRIVE NEW STRATEGIC IDEAS In the landscape of modern business, inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a strategic imperative. Companies like IBM, Volkswagen and Starbucks are moving to more participative strategy development approaches that reflect a growing understanding of the importance of diversity in fostering innovative and creative strategic ideas. Yet the outcomes of inclusive strategy processes often fall short of expectations. A new study in the Strategic Management Journal sheds light on why that may be. In their study of an inclusive strategy process in a large insurance company, Violetta Splitter, along with co-authors
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCHERS SHOW WAYS TO PROPEL PRODUCT SUCCESS New research explores the key strategies that firms should adopt when launching a new product. The researchers say that these strategies depend on the current market view of the product and the firm. Employing the correct one, which might sometimes be collaborating with overtly demanding reviewers or instituting rather challenging pilot tests, ensures that the product launch will go as successfully as possible.
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCHERS DEVELOP ALGORITHMS TO UNDERSTAND HOW HUMANS FORM BODY PART VOCABULARIES An example of the study’s language sample and the words for arm/hand and leg/foot in English and Wolof. Human bodies have similar designs. However, languages differ in the way they divide the body into parts and name them. For example, English speakers have two words for foot and leg, whereas other languages express the concepts foot and leg in one word.
• 5-18-2024 STUDY FINDS AVOIDING SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE AN ELECTION HAS LITTLE TO NO EFFECT ON PEOPLE’S POLITICAL VIEWS In the weeks before and after the 2020 presidential election, researchers ran a number of tests to try to understand how much Facebook and its corporate cousin, Instagram, may be contributing to the nation’s political divide. One of those experiments—led by Matthew Gentzkow and Hunt Allcott, economics professors at Stanford University—centered on more than 35,000 Facebook and Instagram users who were paid to stay off the platforms in the run-up to Election Day. There’s a lot that researchers could glean from the social media hiatus, including whether people’s political attitudes
• 5-18-2024 USING COMPUTER MODELS TO UNDERSTAND THE DEBATE ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE Different types of noise and how they act inside or outside the social interaction process. Cognitive biases are among the most important factors that prevent people from changing their minds. Climate change deniers and climate activists often tend to accept only information that confirms their respective opinions on the matter. However, opinion dynamics are also influenced by a factor that the researchers call “ambiguity noise.” Unlike biases, ambiguity noise is variable, depends on many random factors, and leads to inconsistent judgment.
• 5-18-2024 FOR SOME INDIGENOUS SOUTHERN PLAINS TRIBES, AN ORIGINAL FLUTE SONG IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD MARRIAGE “Warrior with flute” by Timothy Tate Nevaquaya. Used with permission. Credit: Timothy Tate Nevaquaya Every love story is unique, and in traditional Indigenous Southern Plains culture, it begins with an original ballad performed on the flute. In order to win a lover’s affection, and respect among the tribe, each pursuer must compose one good flute serenade. Paula Conlon, a former music professor at the University of Oklahoma, has researched the history and cultural significance of the Indigenous flute since the 1980s. Conlon presents her work Tuesday, May 14, at 9:45
• 5-18-2024 WANT TO BE AN INFLUENCER? OUR RESEARCH SHOWS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST You’re hard at work, lying in a hammock, composing the perfect selfie on the beach. The turquoise sea sets off the idyllic sunset, and just visible though the fronds of a palm tree is the logo of the hotel which is paying you to promote it to your millions of followers on Instagram. Click. The perfect shot. And another typically perfect day in the life of an influencer. Or is it? Certainly a career as an influencer can seem appealing. The work generally involves promoting products or services through sponsored
• 5-18-2024 WHY STUDENTS CHEAT IN ONLINE EXAMS Media psychologists at the University of Cologne have studied how students’ individual needs, conceptions and reasons relate to cheating behavior in online exams. Online exams have become a more common type of exam at universities, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are advantageous because they save time and offer flexibility. However, cheating attempts present a big challenge for lecturers. This is why universities have been working on ways to thwart cheating in online exams by putting organizational and technical measures into place.
• 5-18-2024 WHY STUDENTS CHEAT IN ONLINE EXAMS Trust and distrust in social media coexisted in the study participants. Credit: Emmaline Nelsen Are anti-misinformation interventions on social media working as intended? It depends, according to a new study surveyed over 1,700 participants in the United States, revealing that anti-misinformation features increased users’ awareness of misinformation in social media; but did not make them more likely to share information on social media
• 5-18-2024 MOST CRIME HAS FALLEN BY 90% IN 30 YEARS—SO WHY DOES THE PUBLIC THINK IT’S INCREASED? Seventy-eight percent of people in England and Wales think that crime has gone up in the last few years, according to the latest survey. But the data on actual crime shows the exact opposite. As of 2024, violence, burglary and car crime have been declining for 30 years and by close to 90%, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW)—our best indicator of true crime levels. Unlike police data, the CSEW is not subject to variations in reporting and recording. The drop in violence includes domestic violence
• 5-18-2024 MOST CRIME HAS FALLEN BY 90% IN 30 YEARS—SO WHY DOES THE PUBLIC THINK IT’S INCREASED? Can we truly assess whether someone finds us attractive? Cognitive psychologist Iliana Samara discovered that men, in particular, tend to overestimate the interest of their date. She explains why this may be. “Imagine you walk into a packed bar, looking for a date. Your eyes are naturally drawn to attractive faces. If you’re a man and find someone attractive, you’re more likely to assume they’re also interested in you. “Then, when you approach them, whether you’re a man or woman
• 5-18-2024 MOST CRIME HAS FALLEN BY 90% IN 30 YEARS—SO WHY DOES THE PUBLIC THINK IT’S INCREASED? Having more education has long been linked to better individual health. But those benefits are also contagious, say the co-authors of a new working paper. “It’s not just that the individuals who have more years of education are in better health,” said David M. Cutler, Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics. “It’s that even people with fewer years of education—for example, people with just a high school degree—are in better health when they live around
• 5-18-2024 MOST CRIME HAS FALLEN BY 90% IN 30 YEARS—SO WHY DOES THE PUBLIC THINK IT’S INCREASED? Our research on children in early primary years, show they are better are writing with a pen or pencil than a keyboard. Children today are growing up surrounded by technology. So it’s easy to assume they will be able to write effectively using a keyboard. But our research suggests this is not necessarily true. We need to actively teach students to be able to type as well as write using paper and pen or pencil. Our research Our research team has published two recent
• 5-18-2024 MOST CRIME HAS FALLEN BY 90% IN 30 YEARS—SO WHY DOES THE PUBLIC THINK IT’S INCREASED? The provision of therapies for children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can be an affectively challenging, sometimes procedurally complex, process for the various stakeholders involved. However, the efficiency and effectiveness of this process, are crucial to various outcomes, in particular
• 5-18-2024 HOW DO MINDFULNESS, COMPASSION AND NEED FULFILLMENT AFFECT SATISFACTION IN MIDLIFE MARRIED COUPLES? Many people practice mindfulness or self-compassion techniques in their everyday life as part of their normal self-care routine. Although many studies support the individual benefits of mindfulness and self-compassion, few have focused on romantic relationship outcomes. A new study published in Personal Relationships has examined how mindfulness, self- and other-compassion, and need fulfillment relate to relationship and sexual satisfaction in midlife married couples. The study involved survey results from 640 adults aged 40–59 years who were residing in Canada and were married. Mindfulness is the nonjudgmental attention and awareness to
• 5-18-2024 HOW ENTERTAINMENT BRANDS ARE ADAPTING TO GENERATION ALPHA Growing up, did you play with hyper-sexualized Barbie dolls, boys-only Thomas the Tank Engine trains, or slim, white Disney princesses? If so, you’re not alone, but this is no longer the case for Generation Alpha. Brands like Mattel, once criticized for promoting unrealistic body standards and gender stereotypes, now portray themselves as feminist and progressive. The recent Barbie movie serves as a prime example of this shift. Millennial parents are actively seeking out toys, books and movies to educate their children about life and teach them values that align
• 5-18-2024 STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA FACE CHALLENGES TRANSITIONING TO THE WORKPLACE, BUT WITH SUPPORT THEY CAN THRIVE Transitioning from university to the workplace is a critical period in anyone’s life, but it can be especially challenging for students with dyslexia. While academic settings often offer accommodations for people with dyslexia, professional environments often fall short on such support systems. Fortunately, there are strategic interventions that can be established in workplaces to help individuals with dyslexia not only adapt, but excel in their careers. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population has dyslexia and 80% of people with a learning disability have dyslexia
• 5-18-2024 BUSINESSES UNINTENTIONALLY DISCOURAGE DIVERSE IDEAS, FINDS STUDY Businesses influence the ideas they receive from external contributors by unintentionally signaling which ideas they like, a research analyzed 1.44 million ideas to understand how organizations unknowingly shape the ideas they receive. Data came from organizations that asked visitors how they could improve their websites before choosing which ideas to use. Chosen ideas were communicated for all to see.
• 5-18-2024 WHAT’S IN A NAME? A LINGUISTICS EXPERT EXPLAINS WHY SOME BABY NAMES DOMINATE THE CHARTS YEAR AFTER YEAR What do names like Noah, James, Mateo, Mia, Evelyn and Luna all have in common? They’re not only some of the top baby names in the United States, but they also seem to flow off the tongue. And that’s exactly why parents love them. On May 10, the Social Security Administration released a list of the top baby names in the United States in 2023. Liam and Olivia maintained the number one spot in their respective categories for the fifth consecutive year while Noah and Emma also retained second place.
• 5-18-2024 ACCESS TO GARDENS AND CITIZEN SCIENCE HELPS ENCOURAGE CONSERVATION AMONG CHILDREN, STUDY SHOWS Access to gardens and citizen science projects at school can help promote pro-conservation behavior among pupils, a new study shows. Offering children the chance to take part in authentic scientific ecological work and gardening encourages an interest in plants. This can change behavior—to spend more time gardening or to pursue a botanical career—and fuels a positive attitude towards safeguarding the environment, experts found
• 5-18-2024 WHAT PROFESSIONALS EXPECT FROM FUTURE EMPLOYERS Employers who want to attract new talent should recognize diversity and enable inclusion. This is confirmed by a representative study by IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), which surveyed more than 1,200 trainees and students across Germany. The results clearly show that 75.1% of prospective employees consider it very or somewhat important that companies implement measures to promote diversity and inclusion. This suggests that companies that communicate these measures openly and transparently
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCH LINKS VOTER BEHAVIOR IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO HOUSING MARKET PERFORMANCE If the 21st century has proven anything to the United States electorate, it is that presidential elections are notoriously unpredictable affairs. The seeming randomness by which the country’s electorate chooses its next president has only emboldened polling outlets, talking heads, and amateur psephologists to scrutinize every conceivable variable to give their respective electoral forecasting models a much-needed edge. However, Sherwood Clements, collegiate assistant professor of real estate in the Pamplin College of Business, had an electoral theory that, to the best of his knowledge, had never been explored with regards
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCH LINKS VOTER BEHAVIOR IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO HOUSING MARKET PERFORMANCE If the 21st century has proven anything to the United States electorate, it is that presidential elections are notoriously unpredictable affairs. The seeming randomness by which the country’s electorate chooses its next president has only emboldened polling outlets, talking heads, and amateur psephologists to scrutinize every conceivable variable to give their respective electoral forecasting models a much-needed edge. However, Sherwood Clements, collegiate assistant professor of real estate in the Pamplin College of Business, had an electoral theory that, to the best of his knowledge, had never been explored with regards
• 5-18-2024 MECHANISTIC MODEL SHOWS HOW MUCH GOSSIP IS NEEDED TO FOSTER SOCIAL COOPERATION Gossip often has a negative connotation, but imagine you are part of a group deciding on a job candidate to hire or a local political candidate to back. Candidates who get a good reputation by helping others may be more likely to receive help in the form of a job offer or endorsement, a feedback loop known as indirect reciprocity. Gossip can facilitate cooperation. Previous research has shown that people tend to cooperate more when they think their peers are gossiping about their behavior, gossip
• 5-18-2024 SINGING RESEARCHERS FIND CROSS-CULTURAL PATTERNS IN MUSIC AND LANGUAGE Are acoustic features of music and spoken language shared across cultures? Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen have contributed to a global study of music and speech, published in Science Advances. An international team of researchers recorded themselves performing traditional music and speaking in their native language. In all 50+ languages
• 5-18-2024 NEW RESEARCH REVEALS JUST HOW FEW LGBTQI+ PEOPLE PLAY SPORTS The topic of homophobia in sport has recently made headlines in Australia, with a series of homophobic incidents involving men’s AFL players. These homophobic incidents are usually well-reported in news media, but research has rarely explored the impact on participation for LGBTQI+ people. Fresh research into the problem Our new research is one of the first pieces of academic research in Australia to document how many LGBTQI+ people play and engage with sport. We also explored current levels of discrimination across sport in Australia, and the barriers and enablers
• 5-18-2024 SWIPE RIGHT OR LEFT? HOW DATING APPS ARE IMPACTING MODERN MASCULINITY What it means to be a man is changing. Critical men or masculinity studies is an emerging robust research field that explores how men and masculinity are being transformed by shifting socio-economic, sexual and political conditions in our post-industrial world. Fascinating new male-identifying sub-cultures and communities have emerged, like mushroomcore and dandies. Yet heteronormative masculinity is typically framed as threatening, toxic or maladaptive, as in the case of fragile masculinity. In my years of swiping on dating apps, I encountered different kinds of masculinities, as well as some very offensive
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCHERS SAY AUTOMATED NEWS VIDEO PRODUCTION IS BETTER WITH A HUMAN TOUCH AI-generated videos for short messages are only as well received as manually created ones if they are edited by humans. News organizations—including Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Economist—have been using AI powered video services to meet growing audience demand for audio-visual material. A study recently published in the journal Journalism now shows that the automated production of news videos is better with human supervision. Technology providers like Wochit and Moovly are allowing publishers to mass produce videos at scale. But what do audiences think of the results? Researchers led by LMU
• 5-18-2024 HOW ‘ETHICAL INFLUENCERS’ ENGAGE THEIR AUDIENCES ABOUT SAVING THE PLANET Have a quick think back to the last time you scrolled through social media. Maybe it was this morning, last night or a few minutes ago. What do you recall? One thing you’re bound to remember is the continuous stream of influencers showing off their latest content. These could be videos of influencers discussing the latest skin-care products, the trendiest places to eat, their latest shopping haul or the PR packages they received from various brands. Much of social media influencing is about getting consumers to buy more products.
• 5-18-2024 ALLYSHIP IS ESSENTIAL TO NEW MOTHERS RETURNING TO WORK, SAYS STUDY Returning to work after parental leave can be one of the most challenging experiences for any parents, especially mothers, to navigate. Fortunately, there are simple, kind and thoughtful ways in which organizational members—regardless of formal status, parental identity or gender identity—can help mothers feel supported as they return to work, which can also benefit job satisfaction and maternal well-being.
• 5-18-2024 STUDY FINDS SAYING ‘PLEASE’ MAY NOT BE SO POLITE IN EVERYDAY REQUESTS By kindergarten age, most children have been taught that “please” is a magic word. “Please” is an expression of politeness that shows courtesy and respect, turning a potential demand into a request that will—poof!—magically be granted. But a new study on the ways people make requests of one another suggests that “please” might not be an all-purpose marker of politeness, but rather a more focused, strategic tool to manage frictions or obstacles among family members, friends and even coworkers.
• 5-18-2024 MILITARY RANK AFFECTS MEDICAL CARE, OFFERING SOCIETAL INSIGHTS: STUDY Stock project from Pexels Human relationships are inherently shaped by power dynamics, yet quantifying their impact has remained a scientific challenge. Now, a large new study published Thursday in the journal Science reveals that military doctors give more attention to higher-ranked patients, providing concrete evidence about the privileges that come with elevated status, frequently at the expense of the less powerful. “One of the things we are trying to show is that this is not a military-specific analysis,”
• 5-18-2024 RESEARCHERS DISCUSS CURRENT STATE OF HOMOPHOBIA, TRANSPHOBIA AND BIPHOBIA Gender-neutral bathrooms, conversion therapy and Quebec’s advisory committee on gender identity have been in the news lately. These are polarizing, hot-button issues. While there have been legislative and social advances for LGBTQ+ rights, ignorance and discrimination persist and continue to negatively affect the lives of many. On May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, UdeMNouvelles asked two Université de Montréal professors and researchers who are experts in the field to share their views.
• 5-18-2024 PICKLEBALL COURTS IN A LEGAL PICKLE OVER THE ASSOCIATED NOISE Experts recommend HOAs and communities consider the “popping” noise associated with pickleball when deciding to build courts near homes. Credit: AIP Pickleball Legal Consultant is a job title that likely did not exist a decade ago, but as pickleball courts infiltrate neighborhoods to satiate an appetite for a sport whose namesake is a snack, communities take issue with the resulting influx of noise. Now homeowners’ associations and city councils face litigation by those whose lives are disrupted by pickleball’s din. Charles Leahy, an attorney, retired mechanical engineer, and former HOA
• 5-18-2024 TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING HOW COMPANIES DO BUSINESS In the fast-paced world of modern business, technology plays a crucial role in shaping how companies operate. One area where this impact is particularly significant is in the organization of production chains—specifically the way goods are made and distributed. A new study from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business advances understanding of the U.S. production chain evolution amidst technological progress in information technology (IT), shedding light on the complex connections between business IT investments and organizational design. Advances in IT have sparked significant changes in how companies design
• 5-18-2024 HOW DOES THE US KNOW THAT FORCED LABOR IS HAPPENING IN CHINA? A SUPPLY CHAIN EXPERT WEIGHS IN The Biden administration has added 26 more companies to the list of Chinese textile traders and manufacturers whose goods are blocked from entering the United States because of their alleged ties to forced labor. The banned imports, known as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, names businesses that are said to be involved in exploiting

Hey everyone! My previous roommate moved to NYC for work and I would like to renew my lease, but need to find a new roommate. My old roommate is my best friend and we moved to Syracuse together after we graduated college. I live in Eastwood currently and I’m just far enough away from the universities that I’m not sure I’m going to find any luck on the University Housing Facebook pages since most people want to be walking distance. I’m only a year out of college, so I’ve never been on my own looking for someone to live with that I didn’t have classes with or some other connection. Any recommendations on how else I can find people? I’ve already asked all my coworkers to keep their eyes out, but so far no one has heard of anything.
In case anyone is interested… I’m a 23F looking for another female roommate for a duplex in Eastwood near Shotwell Park. There’s driveway parking, in unit washer dryer, full kitchen with a wrap around counter and dishwasher, and there’s bedroom + office rooms available. I pretty much have the entire place furnished, except whatever bedroom/office space the other person wants (another hard sell for college kids). I’m a pretty outgoing person, love to cook, crochet, paint, any sort of crafts really (currently one of the empty rooms is being used as a craft room with all my yarn and supplies hehe).
TLDR: How does an adult out of college find a roommate?

Are you planning to sell on Amazon FBA but unsure what to sell? The best products to sell are those that already have a demand. Whether you're selling your own products or reselling someone else's, I'll guide you on how to find good products to sell for yourself.
First, let me be blunt: this might not work for everyone. Everyone's success is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. What works for one person might not work for another, so keep that in mind.
Don't choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I just saw one other product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, "If they are selling well, I can throw up my product, and it should sell well too, right?" Nope. I was wrong. Looking back, it's funny now, but at the time it wasn’t.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So in general, you should approach your product research like this:
Learn From My Mistakes
Don’t choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I saw one product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, “If they are selling well, I can throw up my product and it should sell well too, right?” Nope. I was wrong.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So here’s how you should approach your product research:
Find the Market
For your first product, look for ones that are easier to ship and manufacture so you can launch quicker. The main factors to consider are:
Small and lightweight
Non-seasonal
Non-fragile / non-electronic
Non-brand dominated
Price between $12 and $55
Already selling well (over 500 units per month)
Next, you want to find other potential, successful products that will lead you to the overall market. Here are two effective product research methods:
Free Method
Check out the New Release section of any sub-category. The idea is to find products that have just recently launched and are already selling well. Some good categories to start in are Home & Kitchen, Office Products, and Pet Supplies. Go into their sub-categories to find oddball products that are doing well. For example, Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Tabletop > Tabletop Accessories > Kitchen & Table Linens > Tablecloths. You can use the free AMZ Scout Chrome extension to estimate how many units are being sold each month.
Paid Method
Use the Jungle Scout Web App ($40 a month). The product database lets you search through Amazon with the criteria we went over and only pulls back products that fit.
Analyze Market Trends
Research the current trends and popular products in your target market. Look for gaps and opportunities where there is a demand for new products. It's important to start doing this for just one market, ideally your country’s market.
Use Product/Keyword Research Tools
Use these tools to identify potential product ideas. They can help you identify popular search terms and phrases related to your target market. Use Amazon’s search engine autocomplete, which will show you the daily trends for that Marketplace. Start typing (for example, "car Christmas decoration") and get ideas.
Think Outside the Box
Don’t just rely on scraping Alibaba for the next big product. Millions of people are doing the same. Even Alibaba’s manufacturers are directly selling those products on Amazon. Think outside the box: attend trade shows and local markets related to your target market. This can be a great way to learn about new products and trends and to connect with potential suppliers and manufacturers. Plus, it’s not as easy for your competitors to attend a trade show.
Network and Connect with Other Sellers
This is an absolute must and a game-changer. Join Facebook groups, Discord servers, and follow relevant Twitter accounts. Meeting face-to-face and networking with other sellers on Amazon will give you new ideas, and you'll share the ups and downs of selling on Amazon. Don’t expect other sellers to show you their secret formula. They won’t give you an idea for their next great product, but exchanging ideas with someone in your same position is really helpful.
Avoid Amazon Gurus' Courses
Nobody who is going to make you a millionaire or make you drop your 9-to-5 life will give you the keys to it for $3,000 or $30,000.
Tools for Amazon Product Research
There are several tools that can help with the research process. Some popular options include:
Jungle Scout: A product research tool that helps you identify potential products to sell on Amazon based on data and analytics. The product database includes over 500 million products.
Helium 10: A suite of tools that includes a keyword research tool, product tracker, and other features that can help you research and find profitable products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 400 million products.
Viral Launch: A product research and launch platform that offers tools and services to help you find and launch successful products on Amazon. The product database includes over 250 million products.
AMZ Scout: A product research and tracking tool that provides data and insights to help you find the best products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 20 million products.
Now that you generally know how to find good product ideas, don't get overwhelmed with the entire process of selling on Amazon. No need to stress about ranking, launching, PPC, sourcing, or anything other than finding the right product to sell. Once you have a good product to sell, figuring out all that stuff becomes so much easier since you know specifically what to sell. You'll start to see how things work and what products sell well once you've been doing product research for a little bit.
Remember, success on Amazon varies for everyone, and there's no guarantee this will work for you. However, by following these guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of finding a product that can succeed in the marketplace.

Are you planning to sell on Amazon FBA but unsure what to sell? The best products to sell are those that already have a demand. Whether you're selling your own products or reselling someone else's, I'll guide you on how to find good products to sell for yourself.
First, let me be blunt: this might not work for everyone. Everyone's success is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. What works for one person might not work for another, so keep that in mind.
Don't choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I just saw one other product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, "If they are selling well, I can throw up my product, and it should sell well too, right?" Nope. I was wrong. Looking back, it's funny now, but at the time it wasn’t.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So in general, you should approach your product research like this:
Learn From My Mistakes
Don’t choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I saw one product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, “If they are selling well, I can throw up my product and it should sell well too, right?” Nope. I was wrong.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So here’s how you should approach your product research:
Find the Market
For your first product, look for ones that are easier to ship and manufacture so you can launch quicker. The main factors to consider are:
Small and lightweight
Non-seasonal
Non-fragile / non-electronic
Non-brand dominated
Price between $12 and $55
Already selling well (over 500 units per month)
Next, you want to find other potential, successful products that will lead you to the overall market. Here are two effective product research methods:
Free Method
Check out the New Release section of any sub-category. The idea is to find products that have just recently launched and are already selling well. Some good categories to start in are Home & Kitchen, Office Products, and Pet Supplies. Go into their sub-categories to find oddball products that are doing well. For example, Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Tabletop > Tabletop Accessories > Kitchen & Table Linens > Tablecloths. You can use the free AMZ Scout Chrome extension to estimate how many units are being sold each month.
Paid Method
Use the Jungle Scout Web App ($40 a month). The product database lets you search through Amazon with the criteria we went over and only pulls back products that fit.
Analyze Market Trends
Research the current trends and popular products in your target market. Look for gaps and opportunities where there is a demand for new products. It's important to start doing this for just one market, ideally your country’s market.
Use Product/Keyword Research Tools
Use these tools to identify potential product ideas. They can help you identify popular search terms and phrases related to your target market. Use Amazon’s search engine autocomplete, which will show you the daily trends for that Marketplace. Start typing (for example, "car Christmas decoration") and get ideas.
Think Outside the Box
Don’t just rely on scraping Alibaba for the next big product. Millions of people are doing the same. Even Alibaba’s manufacturers are directly selling those products on Amazon. Think outside the box: attend trade shows and local markets related to your target market. This can be a great way to learn about new products and trends and to connect with potential suppliers and manufacturers. Plus, it’s not as easy for your competitors to attend a trade show.
Network and Connect with Other Sellers
This is an absolute must and a game-changer. Join Facebook groups, Discord servers, and follow relevant Twitter accounts. Meeting face-to-face and networking with other sellers on Amazon will give you new ideas, and you'll share the ups and downs of selling on Amazon. Don’t expect other sellers to show you their secret formula. They won’t give you an idea for their next great product, but exchanging ideas with someone in your same position is really helpful.
Avoid Amazon Gurus' Courses
Nobody who is going to make you a millionaire or make you drop your 9-to-5 life will give you the keys to it for $3,000 or $30,000.
Tools for Amazon Product Research
There are several tools that can help with the research process. Some popular options include:
Jungle Scout: A product research tool that helps you identify potential products to sell on Amazon based on data and analytics. The product database includes over 500 million products.
Helium 10: A suite of tools that includes a keyword research tool, product tracker, and other features that can help you research and find profitable products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 400 million products.
Viral Launch: A product research and launch platform that offers tools and services to help you find and launch successful products on Amazon. The product database includes over 250 million products.
AMZ Scout: A product research and tracking tool that provides data and insights to help you find the best products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 20 million products.
Now that you generally know how to find good product ideas, don't get overwhelmed with the entire process of selling on Amazon. No need to stress about ranking, launching, PPC, sourcing, or anything other than finding the right product to sell. Once you have a good product to sell, figuring out all that stuff becomes so much easier since you know specifically what to sell. You'll start to see how things work and what products sell well once you've been doing product research for a little bit.
Remember, success on Amazon varies for everyone, and there's no guarantee this will work for you. However, by following these guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of finding a product that can succeed in the marketplace.

Are you planning to sell on Amazon FBA but unsure what to sell? The best products to sell are those that already have a demand. Whether you're selling your own products or reselling someone else's, I'll guide you on how to find good products to sell for yourself.
First, let me be blunt: this might not work for everyone. Everyone's success is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all plan. What works for one person might not work for another, so keep that in mind.
Don't choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I just saw one other product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, "If they are selling well, I can throw up my product, and it should sell well too, right?" Nope. I was wrong. Looking back, it's funny now, but at the time it wasn’t.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So in general, you should approach your product research like this:

Learn From My Mistakes

Don’t choose a product just because you can source it cheaply, because you like it, or because you think it will sell well. The first product I tried to sell on Amazon was a complete failure because I didn't do any market research. I saw one product that seemed to be selling well and tried to sell the same thing. I thought, “If they are selling well, I can throw up my product and it should sell well too, right?” Nope. I was wrong.
They had hundreds of reviews, a much better listing, and were already ranked. I had no idea how to set up my listing back then. I had three poor-quality iPhone pictures, horrible copywriting, and worst of all, I had no idea how to launch or rank my product. I just knew someone else was selling well.
Enough about my failed product. I say this to highlight how important it is to pick the right product, especially when you're first starting. So here’s how you should approach your product research:

Find the Market

For your first product, look for ones that are easier to ship and manufacture so you can launch quicker. The main factors to consider are:

• Small and lightweight
• Non-seasonal
• Non-fragile / non-electronic
• Non-brand dominated
• Price between $12 and $55
• Already selling well (over 500 units per month)

Next, you want to find other potential, successful products that will lead you to the overall market. Here are two effective product research methods:

Free Method

Check out the New Release section of any sub-category. The idea is to find products that have just recently launched and are already selling well. Some good categories to start in are Home & Kitchen, Office Products, and Pet Supplies. Go into their sub-categories to find oddball products that are doing well. For example, Home & Kitchen > Kitchen & Dining > Tabletop > Tabletop Accessories > Kitchen & Table Linens > Tablecloths. You can use the free AMZ Scout Chrome extension to estimate how many units are being sold each month.

Paid Method

Use the Jungle Scout Web App ($40 a month). The product database lets you search through Amazon with the criteria we went over and only pulls back products that fit.

Analyze Market Trends

Research the current trends and popular products in your target market. Look for gaps and opportunities where there is a demand for new products. It's important to start doing this for just one market, ideally your country’s market.

Use Product/Keyword Research Tools

Use these tools to identify potential product ideas. They can help you identify popular search terms and phrases related to your target market. Use Amazon’s search engine autocomplete, which will show you the daily trends for that Marketplace. Start typing (for example, "car Christmas decoration") and get ideas.

Think Outside the Box

Don’t just rely on scraping Alibaba for the next big product. Millions of people are doing the same. Even Alibaba’s manufacturers are directly selling those products on Amazon. Think outside the box: attend trade shows and local markets related to your target market. This can be a great way to learn about new products and trends and to connect with potential suppliers and manufacturers. Plus, it’s not as easy for your competitors to attend a trade show.

Network and Connect with Other Sellers

This is an absolute must and a game-changer. Join Facebook groups, Discord servers, and follow relevant Twitter accounts. Meeting face-to-face and networking with other sellers on Amazon will give you new ideas, and you'll share the ups and downs of selling on Amazon. Don’t expect other sellers to show you their secret formula. They won’t give you an idea for their next great product, but exchanging ideas with someone in your same position is really helpful.

Avoid Amazon Gurus' Courses

Nobody who is going to make you a millionaire or make you drop your 9-to-5 life will give you the keys to it for $3,000 or $30,000.

Tools for Amazon Product Research

There are several tools that can help with the research process. Some popular options include:

• Jungle Scout: A product research tool that helps you identify potential products to sell on Amazon based on data and analytics. The product database includes over 500 million products.
• Helium 10: A suite of tools that includes a keyword research tool, product tracker, and other features that can help you research and find profitable products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 400 million products.
• Viral Launch: A product research and launch platform that offers tools and services to help you find and launch successful products on Amazon. The product database includes over 250 million products.
• AMZ Scout: A product research and tracking tool that provides data and insights to help you find the best products to sell on Amazon. The product database includes over 20 million products.

Now that you generally know how to find good product ideas, don't get overwhelmed with the entire process of selling on Amazon. No need to stress about ranking, launching, PPC, sourcing, or anything other than finding the right product to sell. Once you have a good product to sell, figuring out all that stuff becomes so much easier since you know specifically what to sell. You'll start to see how things work and what products sell well once you've been doing product research for a little bit.
Remember, success on Amazon varies for everyone, and there's no guarantee this will work for you. However, by following these guidelines, you'll have a much better chance of finding a product that can succeed in the marketplace.

Reopened the rehome group! (Open to new members)
Hey y'all! We reopened our fb rehome group for new members if you'd like to join (:
We are trying to make this group extremely safe and secure so there will be some requirements for anyone to join. We are currently accepting a few members just to test this out! We're trying to incorporate giveaways, contests, trivia, rehomes and try to make it fun-based (:
Facebook profile MUST have a personal picture so we know you're real.
Facebook profile MUST be older than 1 years old.
Fb Rehome Group Link (click)
MUST ANSWER ALL MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS in referral please put 'reddit' thank you!
IT IS A VERY HEAVILY MODERATED GROUP TO ENSURE SAFETY!!
This is a link to all my feedbacks so you know this is NOT A SCAMMER GROUP and is a genuine group trying to make a safe and comfortable environment for bag lovers <3
https://www.reddit.com/useNesneskillecomments/1c8ph7b/feedback_on_my_rehomes/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

And if anyone here somehow sees me talking about them then that'll be amazing. I have this YouYube video as well explaining my most traumatic grooming type relationship for whoever cares. I just don't want to completely rehash everything. It is a doozy tho with many chapters, perhaps I will videograph it all.
TRIGGER WARNINGS THROUGHOUT! I will do my best to remove certain types of language without taking away from the gravity of the situations, so apologies if I am not the best with sparing anyone's sanity here

• got groomed for like a decade basically even tho i was technically an adult for the very tail end of it
• got catfished a ton and just stalked and bullied by people who were incredibly socially manipulative and malicious often manifesting as a form of sadistic entertainment for them
• witnessed the complete and total downfall of FBRP and was mostly unable to venture to other places (but if anyone would like to write with me some time DMs are open *within reason)
• ended up creating a really cool script with some buddies that i'm gonna get published so i can pay them royalties for their characters

essentially started doing this dorky shit when i was like 9 on forums and such. (I am 27 now) people my age of course had the luxury of finding other nerds on chat clients such as IMVU, chatango (RIP), omegle (good riddance), and AIM before there was websites like facebook which had instant messaging built in. MySpace did not used to have this but there was of course roleplay happening on there as well. this is the first iteration of social media based roleplaying i believe...but any e-historians can correct me if i am wrong LOL.
i had to have been about 13 when catfishing as some guy in a band just for funsies to fuck with my friends at school. i added some other fake people and then stumbled upon this person who was roleplaying as kat von D and she both was bullying me but at the same time trying to "have sexy time" and at no point was she asking my age. come to find out as of late like this past summer she is 48 years old. this was 15 years ago. so yeah do the math there lol. disgusting. as anyone may know, being bullied causes some people to very badly seek validation from others and predators see this and take that opportunity whenever possible. so obviously other pedos had their way with me but my main most psychologically damning one was with a writing partner who essentially tried to make me into the stereotype of a dirtied up little plaything with an edge that had its innocence ruined by substance abuse. this unfortunately was another very common trend to glamorize this type of behavior...as anyone with a tumblr around 2013-2016 knows.
as i gradually realized that those sorts of situations were not good because they began to manifest irl and i was dating someone who i confided these things in and who used them against me, it got easier to be normal and most of my experiences on rp were sort of normal towards the end of it. i've officially switched my fb to a writing account now and the problems have shifted but a lot are the same. i find myself drifting away even from that with how people are straight up just using AI to even have conversations, let alone pretend to be writing. i wonder what a lot of these sex pest people will do when they find out they have to pay a whole twenty dollars to still get banned for trying to use AI for smut LOL... i digress.
there is always some issue between people who are anonymous online, but the more people seem to identify with their character it can be a very bad thing. i think that social media rp is very psychologically damaging to the wrong people but that it also appeals to people who are very alone and damaged. it is like how everyone was emo and just adding strangers. a lot of RPers start off as emo or they are trying to e-date other fake people. the only normies you see doing it who like radio rap music and use instagram people for their "face claims" are there to play house with others. it is so sad. i wish for it to be a creative outlet for more people to write interesting stories, so if anyone has any other communities or discord servers i am all ears!
*if you want to DM me about roleplaying we can discuss something I have writing samples and links to stuff if you are curious like my pinterest with my OCs and stuff :3 I mostly do vampire related things or dark fantasy/horror and scifi.

Just a warning, this is going to be very long! I (21F) and my brother (15M) were abandoned by our mother when I was 11 or 12.
For context, she was a teen mother, with a lot of mental health issues (bipolar, BPD, depression, i can only assume some form of sociopathic behavior), and she addicted to hard drugs. My father was a little rough around the edges, but overall a hardworking guy who went into the relationship with a "I can fix her" mentality. For the first few years of my life, I was oblivious to all of the issues going on in my family, I just enjoyed the first 5 years of my life as a happy child. My mother hid her drug addiction well enough for a 5 year old not to ask any questions, and I thought weekly screaming matches were normal and "mommies and daddies fight sometimes". Unbeknownst to me, my mother was cheating with dozens of people, and emotionally/financially/physically abusing my father, he put on a happy face to try and give me a good childhood. He worked 5am- 5pm at a bagel store (no car, only a bike) and never came home empty handed; always a toy, or a piece of candy for me as "sorry" for always being gone and working all day. I thought my mother would always bring her "friends" (men and women) in the house while dad was at work, and they would spend hours "playing" in her room with the door locked. I pretty much had to raise and take care of myself from the time I woke up to around 6pm, so I ended up becoming pretty smart by entertaining myself with my mom's fantasy novels (Harry potter, princess of mars, lord of the rings, etc.) On days she had college classes, our landlords (amazing people) would babysit me. My mother did give me affection, and I loved her very much, but she was very hands-off.
Granted, I wasn't the easiest child to deal with, I had ADHD, undiagnosed autism, among some other things.
When she got pregnant with my brother, (also adhd+autism) I noticed things started to change. My parents would fight more often, the house smelled like smoke, and the electricity to the apartment would be out for weeks because we couldn't pay the bills. Shortly after my brother was born, my parents had the hugest fight I've ever seen, I don't even remember what it was about (probably cheating), but it was the first time it hit me that everything in my life wasn't as happy as I thoughts. I sat clutching my baby brother as she beat my dad with a chair and started screaming. He grabbed a knife and ran outside and tried to end his life by stabbing his wrist. I was screaming and crying my landlords name, hoping my baby sitter would come and save me, he bolted downstairs, pried the door open, and grabbed the two of us and took us into his top floor of the apartment. He gave me some chocolate milk while him and his wife called the police. That was the day my parents split up, and my mom was able to spin the whole thing on my dad, taking custody and he was granted only visitation rights. My mother was kicked out of the apartment, and my aunt (dads sister, but my mother had taken a liking to her and allowed us to see her often) had a feeling something fishy was going on when no one would tell her anything about the details of that night. She went to my old house and asked my landlords what happened, they told her, so she let us sleep over with her whenever we wanted as a safe haven from our mom. She didn't go to court with any of the information she got, out of fear that my mother wouldn't let her see us again, because she was now our only place of complete safety.
My life became a living hell from that point onward. A week a later, my mom told us that her "new boyfriend"(probably a guy she cheated on dad with but I was like 7 and didn't know better) was letting us move in with him. He was the most horrible piece of shit. He got my mother addicted to even more drugs, and they both constantly talked badly about my dad, and when I cried, covered my ears, and said I didn't want to hear it, he would hit me and tell me that I needed to know. He was basically unemployed, and would sometimes sell drugs, or take antiques out of abandoned houses to sell. I hated him. My mother made an entire personality shift, and would defend him even if he said horrible things to me or hit me. She saw no fault in him. She stopped reading me bedtime stories, and stopped telling me she loved me. The only time she was nice to me was when we were in front of other people like school functions... she would kiss up to all my teachers.
I was left to take care of my baby brother on my own, and my father was in and out of mental hospitals from the trauma, so everything he said about how horrible my mother was fell of deaf ears because he was labeled "crazy".
We had no money, it was all spent on drugs, I went out by myself several times to dig through dumpsters just to get food, and I stole baby formula from supermarkets. This one nice homeless lady knew my situation, and would walk me into the stores "as my grandma" so I wouldnt get stopped to ask why a child was all alone. She would poke around the store and buy a $1 candy bar, while I stole formula, and some cold cuts for her. She showed me all the best dumpsters, where delis would throw put perfectly good food at the end of the day. We had an alliance of sorts. I was less than 9 years old.
Her boyfriend became sexually abusive to me around that time. I'll spare the details.
My mother was starting to go off the rails completely. Doing anything for drug money. I clearly remember the time that she told me to get naked and she took pictures of me, up close in all my private areas "to send to the doctor" or else "I would have to go in person and they might give me a shot" (she knew I hated needles.). She never mentioned that event again, but I just know she sent them to some pedophile for money. It makes me sick to my stomach when I think about it. Her bf would try and hurt my brother, I would always step in and get beat instead. We saw our father and aunt maybe once a month, and I was threatened not to say anything to the school or my dad/aunt or else he would kill my mom. I said nothing. I told my aunt all the bruises were from bullies at school, my teachers were taking care of it... or that I was climbing trees, some excuse. I think she knew the truth, but was too scared of losing us to say anything. Everytime they went to drop us back off at our mom's, my brother would have a tantrum. He cried so much the blood vessels in his face would pop. He now at 15 has permanant, freckle like, spots of red on his face from crying so much so often.
She got pregnant again with his twin girls. She gave birth prematurely, and they came out very very sick. She gave birth at home... I was giving most of their care. After the "ohhhh new baby" feeling wore off for her, of course I was basically a mother of 3 at 10 years old. They didn't last long, less than a year. I was in complete despair and that was the first time i tried to end my life. I filled the bathtub and tried to drown myself by repeatedly hitting my head underwater in attempts to pass out under the water. It didn't work, and I was left with neck pain and a migraine that lasted 4 days. I attempted about 5 times, different methods, by this point I haven't been to school in a week. When I came back to school, the teachers noticed something was wrong. I kept looking off into space, detached. I would lash out and act aggressively when anyone would try and talk to me. I would have 2 hour "bathroom breaks" where I just stared at the wall inside the stall and acted rudely when anyone came to get me. What did they do? Not call CPS, of course, they sent me to a special school because of my "sudden behavior issues". I was in a class now with students I could not connect with in any way. I had no friends. All the other kids in my new class had severe learning disabilities and talking to my brother who was 6 years younger than me was more of a conversation. They couldn't read, most of them were almost non-verbal.
My mom broke up with her bf because he cheated, and we were going to lose the house. He still lived with us for a few days but stayed silent. My mother blamed me, saying that I ruined everything by being a bad child and now we were going to be homless. He tried to touch me one last time and I snapped and stabbed him deeply with a BBQ screwer, he just walked away. later that night he killed himself, I saw it. I'll never get that image out of my head.
I lost it, I had an outburst at school, crying and screaming that I wanted to kill myself and for God to just let me die. They sent me to a hospital, and the school called my mom to say I was having an outburst of psychosis. I spilled everything to the hospital about what her bf was doing to me (I couldnt bring myself to talk about my mothers abuses for some reason), and after a while, it was my dad who came to get me... apparently my mother had taken off, leaving my brother alone in the house after the school had called her. I had so many questions. But I was so happy to finally be able to live with my dad and his side of the family.
I was so traumatized, as well as neurodivergent, I acted strangely and dealt with some bullies at school but that was it, it was like heaven on earth. My father didn't even know the full scope of what went on, but the more I told him the more guilty he felt. He started spoiling us a bit out of guilt, so we were happy to be with a parent who loved us.
We never knew where she went. Until I was 18, and she reached out to me on social media. Initially I didn't want to answer. I left my DM sitting there for a few days but... I felt this unexplainable pull. I hated her all these years, but for some reason when the option to take her back into my life came up... something in me missed her. I kept thinking back to the few happy times, and the curiosity was killing me. I finally messaged back, my father told me not to, but he said he couldn't stop me, I at least deserved some answers, and to get all my pent up hatred out at her for some closure. We awkwardly chatted for a few minutes, she told me that her father in West Virginia picked her up, she started a new life, joined narcotics anonymous, but stayed low and didn't let herself be known. She met a genuinely good man at NA, who had convinced her to right her wrongs, quit drugs, and fix her family. They had 2 kids together (one with down syndrome), and she was a present, active mother. I felt a vicious jealousy. Why would she go and have 2 more kids when she had 2 that she abandoned? Why were they treated with love and a loving home when we went through hell...? Why didn't she make it up to us before she went and had more kids..?
My mind did weird things then. It made me need her approval. I kissed up to her, saying I forgave her. That I always knew everything was always her ex bfs fault and not hers.That we were sad when she left. I planned a trip to see her a month later and her new family, my friends all begged me it was a bad idea, to please please not go, and at least to not tell my brother about it. I listened to them, and didnt tell my brother any of this, I told him I was visiting a long distance friend.
I went, we had a pretty good time. Her kids were cute, and I absolutely adored her new lover. He was a good southern man, my gut told me that. He took me fishing, and let me talk through all my feelings. I finally had the relationship with her that I always craved. It felt sickening good, I was estatic. I didn't care about all of the weird signs, like the weird friends she had (looked like crack addicts), and how she managed to get a kind rich southern guy to take her in. I didn't even care. I was just happy to finally feel like I had her approval. I have a habit of bedwetting time to time from anxiety, I ended up having an accident and I was mortified. I cleaned it all up, but told her and, she said it was no big deal. She used to scream at me or hit me as a child for wetting the bed, and now she was reacting normally. It was like a new woman.
My trip was cut short by a week, she had to be rushed into hospital because her appedix was about to explode, she needed to recover and wouldnt be able to do anything fun with me for the remainder of the trip. I watchd her get taken by the ambulance, and was freaking out crying, I was so relieved when the surgery was a success. Her new man apologized profusely for all he stress and bought me a plane ticket back home to NY. He hugged me saying he would be so happy to see me again over the summer, and he had so much fun fishing with me. That he wanted to be a good step dad. He was a nice dude, just like my dad (a good guy she manipulated) I felt it in my gut. They both were at the airport, my mother in a wheelchair, and hugged me off. She said she loved me and to text her when I landed
I did, and got no response. Another day passed, nothing. I started to freak out and called her, only for it to go to voicemail. I messaged one of her friends sons who she Introduced me to. Asking if she was okay. He said he would get back to me once she responded to him, but them he too ghosted me. It was like she was never there. I called her partners work, and they said they would tell him to give me a call. Nothing. I was in despair. I assumed the worst, that she had died or something because of a surgery complication. I was so confused. I pushed it all out of my mind, wrote it off as a mystery even though it ate up at me. I always just justified it as a death, even though it made no sense. She was still following me on Facebook, but there wasn't activity for months when she was once super active. I deleted facebook a few months later because it just hurt.
It's been about 3 years since then. I needed to re-download facebook because my aunt wanted me to check something on matketplace... and I looked up her name just out of curiosity... shes been posting for over a year now. She's okay. She posts her kids, her fiance... she never once responded ro any of my messages yet. Not on text, not on Facebook messenger, no where.... I scrolled and scrolled, crying. I saw she got a new tattoo... a rose for each of her kids.... one for each of her two new kids, one for a miscarriage she had...two for our sisters who passed away... NONE for me or my brother. Like we don't even exist to her.
I don't know what to do. I want to know WHY. We finally had a good relationship, I finally forgave her. We finally could have been okay, saw each other a few times a year... she said she was happy to have me back in her life.... WHY? I'm so heartbroken and confused. I miss her. Was it because I wet the bed? I don't know. I know shes horrible, but I can't help but miss her so much it hurts. Should I continue trying to reach out, or just let her go..? How do I process thos? Any advice, or maybe a theory/explanation/comfort. Anything would help. I just need help. I don't know what to do...

My n-mom is weirdly obsessed with the royal family drama. She is firmly Harry and Meghan and anti William and Kate. And she gets so worked up and passionate about this drama and if I dare say that it's not all real news and authentic she gets so upset.
She has just spent an hour arguing with me because I said a facebook page set up with Prince William's name is not official and set up by fans. Same with the Harry and Meaghan ones. "What do you mean? If it wasn't real then the royal family will take it down."
When I explained that the royal family has no power to deal with all these fake pages she was so upset and angry "so then kings have no power". Actually.... no, not this one.
She is so OBSESSED and talks about all the gossip, all the stories, all the interviews, the news, the books and if they are anti-William she will believe it ALL. Because William bad, Harry good.
Now. I personally couldn't give a rats ass. I don't care. These are rich people from a long line of colonizers. And she will talk endlessly about these people and get so angry with me when I have no interest in this obsession.
Is this common among narcs? I'm honestly curious.

I'm hoisting this to its own post with a few edits and clarifications, hopefully so people will find it easier.
This freeplay guide is excellent and comprehensive: https://www.facebook.com/groups/myvegasguides/permalink/4088637667860237/
(You probably need to join that Facebook group first before you can view their guide)
But here's a short-ish version of the Freeplay rules:
ALL FREEPLAY (regular and myKonami)

• All freeplay awards can only be used at the hotel named on the award. You have to go to that hotel's MGM Rewards desk (typically near the cashier) and have them load it onto your MGM Rewards account, just before you want to use it.
• Each player has a limit of MGM Premium awards they can use in a 30 day period, and all forms of freeplay are premium awards. Most players have a limit of 3, but if you spend money in the apps, that can get raised to 4, 5 or 6. You have to spend a fair amount; several hundred dollars at least to get 4, probably several thousand to get higher.
• You can get one award per "batch" of each specific award. The batches update randomly every few months and there's no indication in the apps. You just have to try to buy one and if you already got one from that batch it will say so. This is specific to a single award. If you get the $150 freeplay on one trip and the batch hasn't changed before your next trip, you can still get the $100 freeplay, because that's a separate award.
• Freeplay can be used on most slots and video poker machines, but not ones with a progressive jackpot (a big number on top of the machine that counts up constantly). Also some brand-new slots may not allow freeplay. When in doubt, try and see.

REGULAR FREEPLAY (not myKonami)

• The regular freeplay awards have the name of the hotel they are for and an amount from $25-$150. They do not have a myKonami logo and are found in all of the apps' rewards section (including the myKonami app).
• You must be staying in a PAID room at the matching hotel, for the required number of nights in order to use a regular freeplay award. Each regular freeplay award lists the number of nights in the terms and conditions. If you think it's not there, read it again; it's a wall of text and it's easy to miss. If it's really not there, you're either viewing a myKonami award (see below), or some new award we've never seen.
• "Paid" just means the room is not a comp. You must have paid a room rate, not just the resort fee. It can booked via any method; direct, travel agency, Expedia, etc.
• One person per room can use one per trip.
• If you have multiple rooms, multiple DIFFERENT people, one per room, can use a regular freeplay
• Each person who is planning to use a regular freeplay needs to be listed as a guest on a room. If the room is not already in their name, they can be added as a guest by the front desk.

MYKONAMI FREEPLAY

• myKonami awards look very different from the regular freeplay awards. They have a big "myKonami" logo, have "myKonami" in the name, and are much more expensive in loyalty points because they are less restricted. They are only found in the rewards section of the myKonami Slots app, along with all the other freeplay rewards.
• No room stay of any kind is required to use a myKonami award. You can be staying at a completely different non-MGM resort. You can be staying on a comp, either myVegas or MGM Rewards.
• You can have a myKonami AND a regular freeplay for the same resort
• You can buy and use one for each resort offered (currently 5: Aria, Bellagio, Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Park MGM), subject to your Premium award limit and the batch limits.
• You can buy more than you intend to use, and that can be handy if your plans are fluid and you don’t know which resorts you’ll be visiting. You can get one of each, if you have the points, and return the ones you don’t end up using for a refund.
• You don't need to use myKonami rewards on Konami machines! Some of the myKonami awards have a line in the terms and conditions saying that they have to be used on some specific Konami slots. That may have been true at one time, but not any more. You can use them on any slot that is freeplay-enabled.

IMPORTANT: Sometimes you get an MGM rewards desk person who doesn't know the rules well and will tell you you've run out of premium awards, or that you can't combine myKonami with a regular award or something. Don't argue, just come back later when someone else is at the desk.

Hello, I have for the most part lost faith in me getting my account back. I had a personal account that did not break TOS and only had pictures of me with friends and family posted with no captions. I don't know why my account is disabled, it doesn't say why and I never even submitted an appeal so I don't know why it say's "appeal sent". I have no email history of any appeal email being sent. I have contacted my AG in Florida in which I received a copy and paste response, I have contacted Instagram data and recovery in which I recieved a copy paste a response (common theme is they always say the support is at instagram.com/help but there is no support lol) I have even contacted Meta Store Support (I own a quest 3 and am a paying consumer of meta) in which I did get to talk to a real person, only for them to always say they are spreading the word to their colleague and then to get a copy paste response telling me to go to instagram.com/help for support even though I repeat 10 times that there is no Instagram support. I literally begged and explained how my account being stuck in disabled as a young college student that just moved states is ruining my social life and ability to make connections with people as nobody is going to take a small Instagram account seriously. You would think for a company that want's everybody to shift to the Meta World and Online, that they would take stuff like this more seriously especially for a paying consumer, with the impact it could have on a person in a world centered around social media for people in my age group. I have tried buying Facebook ads to get meta support and can't even get the option to contact support despite purchased ads. Instagram won't even let me get Meta Verified through the instagram chat on my new account. I'm at a dead end and I don't know what to do, so I'm desperately trying to see if there is anyone that could seriously help me in this matter. It would seriously make the world to me and I would do anything, even pay, to get my Instagram account looked at.

37F - Poland, country with zero knowledge and tolerance for this disease
Sometimes when I'm down I try to cheer myself up thinking "others have it worse"
But not really, except for people who are very ill or physically tortured, not ones with social anxiety. Every time I read a story here I'm kinda jealous of the person who is at least young, has a life before them and schoolmates or colleagues to be afraid of.
I've always had SA and I've always been antisocial. Dorky, chubby and awkward until adulthood. Lost contact with everyone I ever knew because I never reach out, so friendships faded away quickly. Got a major degree but in my country a woman always has to start her work experience as a secretary. Talking to strangers, answering phones. After years of failed interviews they started asking me what's with the gap between my graduation and now. Lying made my somatic reactions even worse. I tried in retail but I was either overqualified or too shy. I only had 2 "boyfriends", but I made all the dating mistakes (being too invested, providing free therapy, ignoring red flags). Both showered me with compliments but never got me anything, never wanted to hang out, "didn't do" valentines day or birthdays, yet expected to lose virginity with me. When I said no because it's a big deal to me they simply lost interest. The last failure made my anxiety turn into a full blown phobia. I had to stop trying to get a job. It was 8 years ago.
I'm an amateur digital artist and ever since all the art communities went down the shitter with the AI I don't get involved in any fandoms and have fun like I used to, I just draw commissions quietly.
Now I only have my mom. She partially understands because she's antisocial too but she refuses to believe in mental disorders.
Lately I'm being crushed by overwhelming loneliness, I'd like to find someone to love but I am completely isolated. There is no public stuff to attend around here, I can't sit around and wink at men. I'm pretty good looking, maybe even hot but due to my style and interests people think I'm a lot younger. I created a facebook account but with no friends I'm invisible. There's nobody my age I could relate to. Millenials who share the same interests are all from overseas. FB groups for finding adult friends are filled with whores, horny dudes and horribly ugly weirdos. I don't think there's any advice for me because I feel like I'm the only one in this situation.
It's too late for me and there is no hope anymore. Therapy is out of the question, I can't afford it. What's the point either? Even if I got meds nobody in this country would hire a 37year old woman with no experience anyway. So I'd still be isolated from people. I have failed as a woman, as a daughter, as a person. Sometimes I keep ignoring this but other times, like now I have the worst thoughts. I only keep it together for my mom. Maybe it will pass when menopause hits, that's all I can look forward to, aside from the end.
So yeah back to what I said at the beginning. At least you've got people to be afraid of. Do what you can, don't waste your chances, don't end up like me. I may be jealous but I'm cheering for you.
Thank you for reading, wishing you guys luck every day

Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice on avoiding scams in terms of housing. I posted on Facebook looking for a short term lease (~6 months) and got several responses. On first glance, it looks normal. Every person responds like a human, provided specific information, address, photos, answered follow up questions. But these are unnaturally much lower rates than I expected, especially for a short term lease and the application is hosted on a survey website (think qualtrics/Google forms), not an official website. In the past I’ve only dealt with apartment complexes, so I’m not sure if survey type housing applications are normal. They also asked to pay application fee via Zelle/venmo/PayPal/etc. Any tips?

Ok context I’m happily married of 6 years. I am f (31) My husband M(31) is the love of my life, my soulmate. I love him to death. He’s my favorite person in the world. I don’t miss my ex or the relationship, but I miss the friendship. We were friends since (3rd grade) elementary school, knew each others families etc dated senior of hs and 2 years in college he was my first love. The Relationship ended terrible .. he had mental health issues and there was infidelity on his part. We were just young and not compatible. I was so hurt and never contacted him after the break up. I am fine now, healed etc. Recently the ex texted ME AFTER YEARS to get coffee and he said he thought of me cause Facebook popped up and old picture (the stupid memory thing 10 years ago this happened) funny enough that same pic popped up for me too just us kids being silly it’s been 10/11 years since we talked/met/ broke up. I want to meet him? But am unsure if it’s the right thing ? Am I complicating my life if I do so? As I am getting older I miss my old friends I grew up with. I recently reconnected with one of my friends who moved out of the country and moved back it was so wonderful. Made me think it can be same with the x?
My husband is supportive of me, he thinks if a relationship started from friendship then if you break up it’s ok to go back to friendship esp if it was a good friend . he is friends with an ex as well when they dated in hs /college. He meets her like once a year to catch up, I am totally cool with it I just don’t know it it’s actually possible.. I always hear bad stories of exes being friends and things getting messy / that you can never be friends with an ex especially when things ended bad? Advise how to navigate this please? Anyone been through something similar? Are good friends even after bad break up ?

I'm an adult disabled child and have had a representative payee until the beginning of this year. Currently living in Montana but unable to receive the level of assistance I require from local groups due to the age and jurisdiction. This is regarding misappropriation of funds and identity theft with one of my previous payees from 2017-2021. As an adult disabled child with a representative payee I was informed that I could have no direct access to any form of money myself both by SSA when I received my award and by both of the representative payees I previously had. They would either give me cash without me having knowledge of available balance or directly give me a credit or debit card with instructions on what I was authorized to purchase that I would then surrender once I returned. Sometime during 2017 I made my then girlfriend Jennifer Jackson my payee. She recommended building credit for me and I authorized her to open two credit accounts on my behalf which she would manage with my social Security funds. The two accounts were PayPal and Capital One. The only updates that I ever received were verbal confirmation that they were paid and at some time in 2018 or early 2019 she showed me a printout of my credit report which listed my credit as over 700. Approximately 2-21, I was experiencing a panic attack and mental disturbance while being harassed by Miss Jackson while she was driving my vehicle. I wanted to go home. She refused and continued to harass me while attempting to force me to contact associates about procuring opioids for her because she was in withdrawals. I struck her twice in the arm. At that time she took me home. The police were called and I was arrested. A restraining order was placed in which she told the judge that she was completely dependent on my home, my vehicles and my income as her only form of support. This was unfactual as she also received roughly the same amount as me in SSI whereas I receive SSDI, and all bills were split between her myself my father and my stepmother. Each of our shares were approximately $350 a month as can be attested to on the financial reports supplied to social Security and the Georgia welfare programs. I was not allowed access to any monies from social Security from that date until my father was made my payee approx 7-22. I had no access to my family lawyer for several months due to this. Upon release I discovered that she had sold the vehicle that she was awarded use of by the restraining order. Her ex husband informed me of this via Facebook messenger which I received upon release. During the conversation to him I threatened legal repercussions and asked him to talk to her regarding where my car was and the money she had received and was arrested for harassment/stalking. The beginning of this year I was awarded control of my own finances for the first time. Upon doing so I discovered a total of three items in collections on my credit report totaling approximately $2,600. Portfolio recovery services (Capital One): $694 Midland credit management (Synchrony Bank): $1028 LVNV Funding LLC (Credit One Bank): $880 They will be removed from my report approximately the beginning of 2026. I am unsure how much money she collected on my behalf as social Security has been extremely difficult to work with me in any way regarding this matter. The original SSA office I spoke to, Barrow County, informed me that because we "lived together as man and wife" that she had full rights to any SSA funds even though we were not married and she was my payee. Several organizations have expressed outrage at the "blunt lie" of that statement as Georgia has not have any form of common law in many many years. I have spoken with social Security Representatives regarding this since I moved to Montana and was informed that it was at minimum inappropriate but likely illegal for her to attain credit on my behalf even with my knowledge as she was only authorized to manage social Security funds. This is a drastically different statement from when I was first awarded disability with a payee. I have also filed 2 reports with social Security regarding the misappropriation of funds but have thus far gotten no response. The first verbally when I was released from prison approximately 7-22 in person at the Barrow county social Security office. The second at the behest of my therapist, local social workers, and Disability Rights Montana was filed electronically approximately 2 months ago. I have contacted the Barrow county Police and filed a report. I have also contacted the three credit reporting agencies about this but no changes were made except to update with "customer disputes: meets Fair Credit reporting standards". I added a consumer statement to explain the situation of the debt reflected on my credit report as well. My previous lawyer, Macklin Smith (Deceased), informed me that any contact with her would likely end with more charges even if it was a lawsuit(because of the previous contact with her ex husband regarding the car and money and threat of lawsuit) and advised me to wait until the restraining order had expired to proceed. I would be satisfied with these items removed from my credit history. If the only way to do that is through civil or criminal litigation then I am comfortable doing so now that the restraining order is expired. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Hi, I’d be starting work soon and am required to stay somewhere close to Twitter HQ. I don’t have a car or personal vehicle so mostly I should rely on public transport to get to work. And I want to live close by so I can walk to office if required. That said, I also wan live in a very safe community since am the only female. I really don’t mind taking Bart if required. Safety > commute > rest. That’s the choice. Any suggestions please. Also, where can I find the sources to find housing ? Facebook groups or how ?
Thankyou so much in advance, because this information means so much to me

I have a second user on my phone
Sort of a swap between personal and work stuff, I have a second phone but it's not always on me
Anyway, for some reason, I can't log into anything on the second user. On my main user account on my phone, I can log into insta, no problem. My second user however has issues where I can't log into insta, or even Facebook.
Need help in fixing it

A father despaired in a private Facebook group that he recently won in court, and while appealing he feels mom is poisoning the children against him.
Here is my reply, edited to maintain anonymity, in the hopes that it helps to protect children from child abuse, parents from domestic violence, and that it serves the interests of justice. Those doubting the authenticity of appeals are invited to join fathers groups on Facebook and observe how sadly common such appeals and posts are there.
I'm not an attorney and this is not legal advice.
You wrote:
(Above)
A motion for contempt of court is one path to seek parenting time and prevent this abuse:

Sometimes a former, or soon-to-be former, spouse or co-parent can make your life difficult by refusing to pay support or cooperate with parenting time or fighting your efforts to resolve your divorce. When inconvenience and annoyance crosses the line into the violation of court orders, you may be able to use contempt of court proceedings to correct the other party’s behavior and get your case, and your life, back on track.
https://nsssb.com/contempt-of-court-in-michigan-family-law-cases/

Minimum standards for child abuse:

Federal law definitions of child abuse and neglect
Federal legislation provides guidance to States by identifying a minimum set of acts or behaviors that define child abuse and neglect. The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) (42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g), as amended by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010, defines child abuse and neglect as, at minimum:
"Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or
"An act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm."
https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/can/defining/
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/5106g

Possible failure to respect:

"There is a fundamental right under the Fourteenth Amendment for a parent to oversee the care, custody, and control of a child."
Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57 (2000)
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/530/57/

Promoting hatred of a parent may be child abuse. If the authorities are aware of this and allow it to persist they may be failing to report that abuse:

A person who, while engaged in a professional capacity or activity described in subsection (b) of section 226 of the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 on Federal land or in a federally operated (or contracted) facility, or a covered individual as described in subsection (a)(2) of such section 226 who, learns of facts that give reason to suspect that a child has suffered an incident of child abuse, as defined in subsection (c) of that section, and fails to make a timely report as required by subsection (a) of that section, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year or both.
18 U.S. Code § 2258.Failure to report child abuse
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2258

Possible:

18 U.S. Code § 242 - Deprivation of rights under color of law
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/242

Possible honest services fraud:

For the purposes of this chapter, the term “scheme or artifice to defraud” includes a scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.
18 U.S. Code § 1346.Definition of “scheme or artifice to defraud”
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1346
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honest_services_fraud

State child support, parenting time, and child protection, and elder abuse are all primarily funded under federal law Title IV-D and Title IV-E. Consider filing complaints.

HHS Office of Inspector General
Phone. 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/contact.asp
HHS Office of Civil Rights
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

Failure of the authorities to protect civil rights of parents may be:
Possible cause for a federal civil rights action or lawsuit (often against a municipality, state, non-profit agency, or company) under:

42 U.S. Code § 1983 - Civil action for deprivation of rights
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1983

US courts provide forms:

Complaint for Violation of Civil Rights (Non-Prisoner)
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/pro-se-forms/complaint-violation-civil-rights-non-prisoner

Possible basis of a class action lawsuit for similar situated people:

https://centerjd.org/system/files/CivilRightsClassActionsF.pdf

Please keep us updated.
I wish you the best of luck in your search for justice.

I'm an adult disabled child and have had a representative payee until the beginning of this year. Currently living in Montana but unable to receive the level of assistance I require from local groups due to the age and jurisdiction. This is regarding misappropriation of funds and identity theft with one of my previous payees from 2017-2021. As an adult disabled child with a representative payee I was informed that I could have no direct access to any form of money myself both by SSA when I received my award and by both of the representative payees I previously had. They would either give me cash without me having knowledge of available balance or directly give me a credit or debit card with instructions on what I was authorized to purchase that I would then surrender once I returned. Sometime during 2017 I made my then girlfriend Jennifer Jackson my payee. She recommended building credit for me and I authorized her to open two credit accounts on my behalf which she would manage with my social Security funds. The two accounts were PayPal and Capital One. The only updates that I ever received were verbal confirmation that they were paid and at some time in 2018 or early 2019 she showed me a printout of my credit report which listed my credit as over 700. Approximately 2-21, I was experiencing a panic attack and mental disturbance while being harassed by Miss Jackson while she was driving my vehicle. I wanted to go home. She refused and continued to harass me while attempting to force me to contact associates about procuring opioids for her because she was in withdrawals. I struck her twice in the arm. At that time she took me home. The police were called and I was arrested. A restraining order was placed in which she told the judge that she was completely dependent on my home, my vehicles and my income as her only form of support. This was unfactual as she also received roughly the same amount as me in SSI whereas I receive SSDI, and all bills were split between her myself my father and my stepmother. Each of our shares were approximately $350 a month as can be attested to on the financial reports supplied to social Security and the Georgia welfare programs. I was not allowed access to any monies from social Security from that date until my father was made my payee approx 7-22. I had no access to my family lawyer for several months due to this. Upon release I discovered that she had sold the vehicle that she was awarded use of by the restraining order. Her ex husband informed me of this via Facebook messenger which I received upon release. During the conversation to him I threatened legal repercussions and asked him to talk to her regarding where my car was and the money she had received and was arrested for harassment/stalking. The beginning of this year I was awarded control of my own finances for the first time. Upon doing so I discovered a total of three items in collections on my credit report totaling approximately $2,600. Portfolio recovery services (Capital One): $694 Midland credit management (Synchrony Bank): $1028 LVNV Funding LLC (Credit One Bank): $880 They will be removed from my report approximately the beginning of 2026. I am unsure how much money she collected on my behalf as social Security has been extremely difficult to work with me in any way regarding this matter. The original SSA office I spoke to, Barrow County, informed me that because we "lived together as man and wife" that she had full rights to any SSA funds even though we were not married and she was my payee. Several organizations have expressed outrage at the "blunt lie" of that statement as Georgia has not have any form of common law in many many years. I have spoken with social Security Representatives regarding this since I moved to Montana and was informed that it was at minimum inappropriate but likely illegal for her to attain credit on my behalf even with my knowledge as she was only authorized to manage social Security funds. This is a drastically different statement from when I was first awarded disability with a payee. I have also filed 2 reports with social Security regarding the misappropriation of funds but have thus far gotten no response. The first verbally when I was released from prison approximately 7-22 in person at the Barrow county social Security office. The second at the behest of my therapist, local social workers, and Disability Rights Montana was filed electronically approximately 2 months ago. I have contacted the Barrow county Police and filed a report. I have also contacted the three credit reporting agencies about this but no changes were made except to update with "customer disputes: meets Fair Credit reporting standards". I added a consumer statement to explain the situation of the debt reflected on my credit report as well. My previous lawyer, Macklin Smith (Deceased), informed me that any contact with her would likely end with more charges even if it was a lawsuit(because of the previous contact with her ex husband regarding the car and money and threat of lawsuit) and advised me to wait until the restraining order had expired to proceed. I would be satisfied with these items removed from my credit history. If the only way to do that is through civil or criminal litigation then I am comfortable doing so now that the restraining order is expired. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.